A sermon, delivered in Haverhill, December 22, 1820

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SERMON,

DELIVERED IN HAVERHILL, DECEMBER 22, 1820;

BEING THE

SECOND CENTESIMAL ANNIVERSARY,

LANDING

mmw^mw^^Awm »ATmii»s»

YliXMO\ITII.

BY JOSHUA DODGE, A. M.

Pastor of the First Congregational Society in Haverhill.

Published at the request of the hearers,

►©•»—

HAVERHILL :

PRlifTED BY BURRILI. & HERSF.Y,

1821

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SERMON.

Among all nations, signal events, beneficial in their
consequences, have been celebrated by some manifest
tokens of gratitude. The memory of Israel's deliver-
ance from Egyptian bondage was kept alive, by the sol-
emnization of an annual festival. A monument erected
on the banks of Jordan perpetuated, through successive
ages, the eventful day, which introduced them into the
land of promise. In the church of Christ, there are me-
morials, which are designed to bring to grateful re-
membrance, merciful interpositions in the kingdom of
grace. In conformity to an example so universal, an
example happily calculated to preserve unanimity among
a people, and to hand down a knowledge of important
eras in the history of their country, the citizens of Amer-
ica celebrate the day which gave birth to their independ-
ence. In conformity to an example so universal, and
led, 1 trust, by the impulse of gratitude, we are assem-
bled, devoutly to regard this day, as the second centesi-
mal anniversary of the first landing of New-England
Fathers. — Called, my brethren, to lead your medita-

tions on an event so replete with consequences, beue-
ficial to civil and religious community ; I have selected
as an appropriate theme of discourse,

Psalm lxxviii. 3, 4.
We have heard, and known, and our fathers have told us. We
will not hide them from their children, showing to the genera-
tion to come the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his
wonderful works that he hath done.

The Hebrews were a highly favoured people. To
preserve in recollection deeds of old, they were instruct-
ed to make known, and familiarize to their children,
and through them, to succeeding generations, the won-
derful interpositions of Heaven in behalf of their nation.
Hence, the cruel oppressions, signal deliverances,
miraculous preservation, and subsequent prosperity
of their fathers, were subjects of frequent reflection
aud discourse. By such recurrences, they brought
back the scenes, and revived the emotions of former
times — they kept alive a sense of their dependence
on, and obligations to, their divine Benefactor, and
adopted the most effectual method to perpetuate a
grateful remembrance of mercies received.

We may make a safe application of the words of our
text on this occasion, to ourselves. — ' We have heard,
and known, and our fathers have told us, the deeds of
wo and sufferings of other times. We will not hide
them from their children, showing to generations to
come, the praises of the Lord, and his wonderful works,
which he hath done.'

The object of our assembling at this time, my hear-
ers, is understood. This day, two hundred years

since, the first settlers of New-England landed at
Plymouth. Of the fruit of their sufferings, toils, and
prayers, we now partake, in our rich inheritance.
Whilst we embalm their memories with tears of filial
affection, may we render to that glorious Being, in
whom they trusted, and by whom they were prospered,
and we are blest, a tribute of unfeigned gratitude.

The ways of divine Providence are dark and myste-
rious. From the most distressing events, frequently re-
sult the happiest consequences. Apply this remark to
the subject before us. New-England is indebted to re-
ligious persecution for its first settlement.

Elizabeth, Queen of England, during her reign, as-
sumed the prerogative of prescribing to her subjects
what principles in religion they should profess, and to
what forms of church government they should adhere.
Many of the modes and ceremonies practised under the
preceding reign, when Romish superstition was trium-
phant, she was determined to carry into the protestant
service. This extent of royalty, exercised in matters of
faith and conscience, excited fearful apprehensions
among the most active of the Reformers. They ques-
tioned the right, and refused obedience to the pleasure
of the sovereign. This bold stand, assumed in defiance
of the authority of state, was too wounding to the pride
of Elizabeth, to be passed unnoted. She issued her
threats, and made public her determination to suppress
this daring spirit of non -conformity to the established
church. By her active and persevering vigilance, she
indeed succeeded in checking open and avowed opposi-
tion, but could not extinguish the principles from which
this opposition arose. The Puritans, " by whom alone,"
says Mr. Hume, " the precious spark of liberty had

been kindled and cherished, and to whom the English
owe the whole freedom of their constitution," the Puri-
tans, conscious of the rectitude of their cause, and of the
approving smiles of Heaven, were determined, however
fettered in other respects, to be free in the worship of
their God. Not succeeding in their attempts to estab-
lish a separate congregation and discipline, they accus-
tomed themselves to assemble for religious worship, in
private houses, or other places retired from public no-
tice. These practices, for some time, continued unre-
garded, and were merely connived at ; but at length,
the public jealousy was aroused, every mean was em-
ployed to suppress them, and the most cruel methods
were made use of, to discover, apprehend, and punish,
all who refused obedience to the royal authority.

Thus prohibited a privilege, dearer to them than life,
the unrestrained exercise of conscience in the worship
of their God, at home, the oppressed Puritans cast their
eyes abroad, and determined to seek an asylum for their
piety among strangers. About the year 1608, they bid
adieu to the land of their nativity, and, with their be-
loved pastor, Rev. John Robinson, embarked for Hol-
land. Here their hopes were disappointed — it was not
the place for which they sighed. Their cup of religious
enjoyment was still embittered. The Dutch were li-
centious in principle and practice. Apprehensive of
the evil consequences which might result from any long-
er continuance in that situation ; alarmed for their chil-
dren and little community, surrounded with every spe-
cies of wickedness, the embarrassed pilgrims extended
their view across the Atlantic, and fixed on America, as
a place of refuge, from the existing evils of Europe. In
July, ltf20. after a residence of 13 years in Holland,

they returned to England. After spending two month*
in making all the preparation which their scanty means
would permit ; having received the memorable counsel,
and melting benediction of their beloved Robinson, with
many tears and prayers, they once more bid adieu to
the land of their birth and education, and, on the 6th of
September, commenced their voyage for America, Di-
rected by that sovereign Being, who " renders the
winds and waves subservient to his glorious purposes,"
they safely passed the trackless ocean, and, on the 10th
of November, anchored in the harbor of Cape Cod.
After bending the knee in prayer and praise, to their
kind Preserver, ere they sat foot on land, " they formed
themselves into a body politic, by a solemn contract,
and made choice of their first governor." The place
on which they fixed, as most convenient for a permanent
residence, they called Plymouth ; after the town from
which they sailed in their native country. Thus, on
the S2d of the cold month of December, the weary pil-
grims, without a friend to greet them, or a shelter to
screen their shivering limbs from the wintry storms,
landed, and commenced the first settlement in New-
England.

Their history, through successive generations, to
the eventful epoch, which gave birth to our independ-
ence, is little else but details of want, toils and suffer-
ings. Few iu number, oppressed with hunger, fixed
down in a dreary wilderness, where seldom ever trod
before the foot of a civilized being, surrounded by mer-
ciless beasts and more merciless savages, without hope
of succour from any created beings, visited with sickness,
which, ere the opening of spring, swept away forty -five,

8

nearly half of their number; their necessities, their
perils, their enemies, must have been many.

With such chilling prospects opening on every side,
under such disheartening circumstances, nothing but
their religion could have preserved them from sinking
into despair. Resting on the promises of their cove-
nant God, walking in the light of divine truth, and
making the throne of grace their rallying centre, our
fathers toiled and prayed, in full confidence, that Is-
rael's Shepherd would drive out the heathen from be-
fore them, break the rod of their oppressors, and give
their children a goodly heritage. They laboured not,
they prayed not, in vain. The love of liberty could
not be extinguished, but with life. Although still in
alliance with the country in which they had been so un-
justly treated, and from which they had been so cruel-
ly driven, necessarily distracted by her broils, envied
by her enemies, and oppressed by her wars, they were
preserved, multiplied and prospered. No arm was
permitted to wrest from them their dear bought rights.
In the unmolested enjoyment of their religion, the arms
of their hands waxed stronger and stronger, until they,
in conjunction with their oppressed brethren, on the
south and west, successfully repelled every invading
foe — had broken the last link in slavery's chain, and
established that rank among the nations of the earth,
for which they aspired. Their cause was the cause of
humanity and of God. A vine planted by such hands,
watered by such tears, and inwalled by such prayers,
could not but survive and flourish.

With what emotions of gratitude, should we, my
brethren, turn from that land of bondage, under whose
oppressive laws groaned our puritan ancestors — that sea

9

of appalling dangers, through which they waded — that
howling wilderness, where once they wandered de-
fenceless, hungry, and naked, to a contemplation of a
land of peace, plenty, and equal rights. As an answer
to their prayers, as the fruit of their piety, we, their de-
scendants, now sit unmolested, under the shade of our
own vine. The war-whoop of the savage no more dis-
turbs the slumbers of the cradle — no civil code fetters
our conscience — no assuming pontiff prescribes rules for
our faith. In the undisturbed enjoyment of their inesti-
mable privileges, the inhabitants of New-England are
the most favoured people, of the most favoured nation,
under heaven.

With respect to the religious sentiments professed
by our fathers, and the church government to which
they adhered, there is no question. They had imbibed
much of the spirit of the great reformer. Calvin's sim-
ple method of explaining the Scriptures, they adopted,
and professed their belief in his system of doctrines.
Driven from the bosom of their mother church, in
which, according to their apprehension, were many
things inconsistent with the simplicity of the gospel, in
possession of a country, where no arbitrary power awed
into obedience, contrary to the dictates of conscience,
they were determined to expunge from their ecclesiasti-
cal proceedings everything which. bore the least re-
semblance to papal superstition. The platform of
church government and discipline, on which they fixed,
was purely congregational.

The first settlers of New-England were good men.
Their morality and piety, their love of truth, and the
purity of their motives are unquestionable. They made
Jehovah the rock of their confidence, and He was theii

10

fortress in the liour of danger. But, like other descend
ants from a degenerate race, they had their imperfec-
tions. Who couljl have imagined, that the same intol-
erant spirit, which exiled the Puritans from the land of
their fathers, from their homes and all the endeared
enjoyments of civilized society, would have so soon
armed them for the same cruel deeds of persecution, as
subsequent events proved ! Yes, the very men, who
had just escaped from the iron yoke of ecclesiastical
tyranny, who contended that liberty of conscience, in
matters of religion, was one of the most unalienable
rights ever entrusted to man by his Maker, having se-
cured the civil power Jin their own hands, assumed the
prerogative to prescribe rules for others' faith and prac-
tice. Against dissenters, the same exterminating spirit
raged in the new, as in the old world, till the liberal
system of toleration established in the parent country,
at the revolution, extending to the colonies, put an end
to these proceedings. Thus, we see, that the best of
christians are but imperfect men.

After these cursory remarks, relative to New-Eng-
land and its first settlers, in general, we will circum-
scribe our limits, and fix our thoughts for a while, on
those events, which more immediately concern this
church and religious society.

Haverhill, originally Called Pentuclcet, was proba-
bly about the twenty-seventh, or eighth settlement made
in the colony. The precise time when the first civilized
inhabitants fixed on a permanent residence here, we
have not sufficient data by which to determine. It is
however supposed, to be as early as the year 1640.
The place of their origin was Haverhill, Essex county,
England. Hew John Ward, to whom they were af-

11

iectionately attached, and with whose pious instructions
they had been favoured in their native country, was in-
vited to visit them, become their gospel teacher, and
participate with them in their joys and sorrows. Pre-
vious to the settlement of the ministry among them, the
inhabitants were accustomed to attend publick worship
at Newbury, or Ipswich. The refreshing privilege of
unmolestedly enjoying the ordinances of religion, they
considered a rich compensation for the labour of travel-
ling sixteen or eighteen miles. Sometime in the year
1641, this church was embodied. In its commencement,
it consisted of fourteen members ; eight males, and six
females. As the settlement on each side of the river
enlarged, this little vine, planted in a wilderness, water-
ed by tears, and defended by prayers, grew and strength-
ened. Mr. Ward, on receiving the pressing invitation
from his brethren at Haverhill, immediately visited
them, and in November, 1641, was installed as the first
gospel minister of this church and people. His age, at
the time, was thirty-nine. He continued breaking the
bread of life to his affectionate people, enduring;, in
common with them, cold, hunger and fatigue, for forty-
nine years ; and then, having reached the venerable age
of eighty-eight, worn out in his Master's service, fell
asleep, and left his little flock in tears.

The number, as near as can be ascertained, which
were added to the church, during Mr. Ward's ministry,
did not fall short of 392. Those who received the seal
of the covenant, probably, exceeded 780.

Mr. Ward is respectfully spoken of by those, who
have transmitted biographical notices of his character,
as a man, a scholar, a christian, and minister. Both for
vigour of body and strength of intellect, he was much

12

distinguished. " Though reserved aud unassuming, his
judgment was revered, and his influence acknowledged,
in all the churches throughout the infant colony." He
was a warm advocate for the doctrines of the reforma-
tion. Iu the strain of his preaching, he was evangelic-
al, impressive, and practical.

Eight years previous to the death of this faithful ser-
vant of Christ, the people voted to hire an assistant
minister, who should preach among them, with a view
of settling as a successor to their aged pastor. They
employed a number of candidates, who either refused,
or were not requested, to continue for any considerable
time with them. In 1684, Mr. Benjamin Rolfe was
engaged on probation. In him they harmonized ; invit-
ed him to settle ; and to their proposals he acceded.
After preaching four years, as an assistant labourer ;
after closing the eyes and catching the falling mantle
of his ascending predecessor, Mr. Rolfe, January, 1694,
was ordained and intrusted, with the exclusive charge
of this church and people.

Mr. Rolfe remarks, on the day of his ordination,
•; these four years past have been the happiest and most
profitable to me of my whole life. 1 have had the.
counsels of wisdom and experience, the admonitions of
a father and a friend, and an example constantly before
me, of undissembled virtue, ardent piety, and burning
zeal."

With this people, Mr. Rolfe continued, administer-
ing to their spiritual, and sharing in their temporal
wants, cheering their hearts amid the most appalling
dangers — with them often in watching, fasting, and
prayer, for thirteen years and eleven months, and then

Suddonlv Slink intr» <xr\ iiniimp.lv PTflV" *Tad hp Won.

13

removed from the dear people of his charge, in the
common course of Providence, the event, though pain-
ful in the extreme, would doubtless have been attended
with many soothing circumstances- But such a desira-
ble exit was not designed for this beloved man of God.
In the midst of his days and usefulness, when were
most needed his example and counsels — in the dead of
night, preceding the Sabbath, while engaged in making
preparation for the sanctuary, in a moment, a horde of
savages surrounded his defenceless dwelling, and
he fell to rise no more. With his, was shed the
blood of his wife, and a child. With him, fell a
sacrifice many of the dear lambs and sheep of his flock.
A memorial* of the dreadful transaction of that gloomy
night, of savage barbarity, and suffering innocence, is
still exhibited, in the easterly porch of this temple.
But few places in New-England, perhaps, suffered
more by the rude children of the forest, than Haverhill.
The traditionary tales of wo, as related by some of the
present inhabitants, with respect to the sufferings of
their ancestors, merit a place on the page of New-Eng-
land history. We will tell to our children, and through
them, to their descendants, the cruel deeds of other
times ; how our, and their rich inheritance has been
purchased and transmitted, by many sufferings and
prayers, by much toil and blood.

During the laborious ministry of Mr. Rolfe, 108 were
admitted to full communion — 334 received baptism.

The system of doctrinal belief, and religious practice,
professed by Mr. Rolfe, was similar to that of his pred-
ecessor. He is spoken of as a man eminent for his de-

A Door, through which passer! the balls, by which Mr. Rolfe was killed.

14

votionai exercises. On stated seasons, it was his inva-
riable custom to appropriate a day for fasting and
prayer, by himself, for his personal improvement in
christian experience. In life, he had the affections of
his people ; in death, their lamentations.

During the period from the death of Mr. Rolfe, Au-
gust 10, 1708, to the re-settlement of the ministry in
this place, a number of candidates received call for
ordination, but declined. May 15, 1710, Mr. Joshua
Gardner was requested, by an unanimous invitation from
the church and people, to settle with them in the gos-
pel ; to which, he returned an affirmative answer, and
was consecrated their pastor, January 10, 1711. Mr.
Gardner is mentioned, as eminently distinguished for
piety in very early life. At the age of thirteen, he be-
came a hopeful subject of divine grace. From this
memorable period in his life, " he felt so deeply inter-
ested for the salvation of sinners, that he was determin-
ed, God willing, to prepare himself to preach the gos-
pel." Accordingly, he commenced his preparatory
studies, and, at the age of sixteen, entered college.
During his four years residence in college, he distin-
guished himself as a scholar and christian ; endeared
himself to all that knew him, by his uniform habits and
amiable deportment ; raised his friends' expectations of
his future usefulness, by his increasing knowledge of
divine truth, and growing zeal for the interest of the
church. At the age of twenty, he was graduated ; com-
menced preaching at twenty-one ; was ordained at twen-
ty-three ; and died at twenty-eight. His life, when
measured by days, months and years, was short. But,
u that life is long, which answers life's great end." In
one of his resolutions drawn up on the day of his con

15

secration to the gospel ministry, he remarks, « God has
given me my desire ; I am no more my own, but his
who has employed such an unworthy instrument in his
service ; to his glory and praise, shall be consecrated in
future, all my knowledge, talents, and influence. —
Amen." His subsequent life evinced the sincerity of
his pious resolution. As an affectionate^ zealous, un-
wearied minister of the Lord Jesus Christ, perhaps
young Gardner has been excelled but by few. From
the time of his ordination, to that of his death, except
interrupted by sickness, or some special calls in Provi-
dence, it was his uniform practice to preach three ser-
mons in a week — one written, and two extempore.
i: With au imagination so lively, with a memory so re-
tentive, and a heart so warm," said his successor in of-
fice, " he might well excel as an extemporaneous preach-
er." No man could be more endeared to his people 5
no people could be more endeared to their minister.
His life was short, but useful ; his death was painful-,
but triumphant.

The additions made to the church, during the five
years' pastoral care of Mr. Gardner, were forty-five — ■
one hundred and seventy- eight were admitted to the or-
dinance of baptism.

" The premature death of this much admired young
man was followed by consequences peculiarly unfa-
vourable to the re-settlement of the gospel ministry.
From some cause, the church and society (an unprece-
dented thing) became much divided in their choice of a
new candidate. " For four years, Zion mourned, be-
cause there was no one to administer to her the bread
of life." After much fasting and prayer, asking coun
sel from abroad, and making many fruitless efforts at

16

home, they happily united in an invitation to Mr. John
Brown. He accepted their call, and was ordained, on
the 13th of May, 1719. This servant of Christ was
successful, as well as faithful, in the discharge of his
ministerial duties. He laboured abundantly, and his
labours were abundantly blest. Soon after his conse-
cration to the pastoral office, when ready to sink under
the weight of his charge, his hands were strengthened,
and his heart rejoiced, by an extensive religious excite-
ment among his people. The fruit of this revival was,
sixty-five hopeful subjects of renewing grace. Large
accessions to the church, were frequently witnessed
during his ministry. Though of slender constitution,
worn down and emaciated with labours, multiplied ac-
cording to the rapid increase and extent of population,
he fainted not in his Master's service. With a heart
always warm, with hands always ready to his work,
with full 'confidence in the blessed assurance, Lo, I am
with you ; no call of duty ever seemed to dishearten
him. With many tears, publicly, and from house to
house, he ceased not to warn, counsel and console his
dear people, according to their wants and circumstances.
He designed, and he made all his private visits, with a
special reference to the religious improvement of his
flock. Every house in which he was present, became,
for the time being, a Bethel. Domestics must be as-
sembled, and prayers be offered on the family altar.
An example this, of ministerial fidelity, worthy of the
most assiduous attention of all his successors in the sacred
office. Mr. Brown exemplified in his life the gospel
which he preached. In his intercourse with mankind,
integrity, meekness, sympathy for the afflicted, and love
for all good men, characterized his habitual deportment.

17

" Those who knew him, could not but have observed
him as most happily under the control of that divine
command, to speak evil of no man. As though a watch
kept the door of his lips, nothing fell from them in-
compatible with a real tenderness for his neighbours'
feelings."

This highly honoured servant of the Lord finished
his labours in the church on earth, and took his depar-
ture to the church in heaven, Dec. 2, 1712, in the forty-
sixth year of his age, and twenty-third of his ministry.

Four hundred and thirty-eight were admitted to full
communion, and nine hundred and seventy-three were
baptized, during the pastoral office of Mr. Brown.

In October 26, 1729, twenty-five members of this
church, residents in Methuen, now Salem, N. H. re-
quested a dismission, that they might embody themselves
into a church in that place.

November 1, 1730, a similar request was made by
forty-six members, " for the purpose of uniting in a
church state in the North Precinct ;?? at present that part
of Haverhill in connexion with Plaistow, N. H. they
composing one parish.

October 18, 1735, a like request for dismission was
presented by seventy-seven members, that they might
form a separate church in the west part of the town.
These petitions were granted.

After the much lamented death of Mr. Erown, this
society continued destitute of a minister but about four
months, and then happily united in a call to Mr. Ed-
ward Barnard. He accepted the invitation, and was
ordained, April 27, 1743.

For a knowledge of the many excellencies of this
highly esteemed man and minister, we are not depend-
3

18

ent on tradition, which is sometimes false, and frequent-
ly exaggerated ; we can appeal to living witnesses.
His praises are still in many of our churches. To some
who hear me, he was personally known. Those, who
knew him best, loved him most. As a companion, he
was social, undisguised ; as a scholar, inquisitive, gen-
eral ; as a preacher, instructive, plain, practical ; as a
pastor, watchful, affectionate, unwearied. In his tem-
per, he was uniform ; in his affections, benevolent ; in
his religion, exemplary. When he died, his consort
was bereaved of an affectionate and beloved husband ;
his children, of a tender parent, counsellor and guide :
learning, of a faithful patron and ornament ; the afflict-
ed, of a sympathizing friend and comforter.

With respect to Rev. Mr. Barnard's religious senti-
ments, we may form an opinion, from the following ex-
tract of "a sermon in manuscript, which he preached
thirty years after his ordination. ?? " The fallen state
of man, which gave rise to the gospel dispensation ; the
fullness and freeness of divine grace in Christ, as the
foundation of all our hopes ; the influence of the Spirit :
the necessity of regeneration ; implying repentance to-
wards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ ;
the necessity of practical religion, originating from evan-
gelical principles, are some of the many things which
will appear of the greatest importance at death and
judgment "

Mr. Barnard continued the minister of this church
and society thirty-one years. — Died January 26, 1774,
aged fifty-four. During this period, nine hundred and
thirty-four are recorded as baptized, and ninety-four as
added to the number of communicants.

In November 19> 1744, at their request, this church
voted a dismission to seventeen of her communicants;

19

that they, in connexion with others, might establish a
church in the eastern part of this town.

In 17^1, May 30th, a similar request was made by
fifteen members, that they might become incorporate
with a church, then forming in Hampstead, N". H.
This petition was likewise granted.

During the year 1765, and the remaining period of
Mr. Barnard's life, repeated applications were made to
him by individual members, for a dismission from this,
and a recommendation to the Baptist church, then estab-
lished in this place. To a man so endeared to his peo-
ple, so deeply interested in their christian union, and
spiritual interest, of such tender sensibility, this was a
circumstance peculiarly calculated to embitter the re-
maining enjoyments, and becloud the closing scene of life.

The successor of Mr. Barnard was Mr. John Shaw ;
who accepted the invitation of this church and society^
and was ordained their gospel teacher, March 12, 1777*

Mr. Shaw, in his system of religious faith, was Cal-
vinistic ; in his strain of preaching, evangelical ; in tem-
per, mild and forgiving ; hospitable and benevolent to
all with who n he had intercourse. In speaking of him
as a man, a christian, and a minister, we need but men-
tion the honorable epitaph inscribed over his ashes.
" A bright example of benevolence, meekness, patience
and charity ; an able advocate of the religion he pro-
fessed, and a faithful servant of the God he worship-
ped." A respectable testimonial this, to departed
worth.

For eighteen years, Mr. Shaw continued his ministe-
rial labours in this part of the gospel vineyard ; and
then, without any previous indications of approaching
dissolution, on the 29th of September, 1794, suddenly
died, aged forty-eight. Whilst continued this servant

20

of Christ among this people, sixteen were admitted to
full communion, and one hundred and sixty-five were
baptized.

From the period of Mr. Shaw's dissolution, this so-
ciety continued destitute of the regular gospel ministry
about ten months ; when the church and people harmo-
nized in giving a call to Mr. Abiel Abbot, now intrust-
ed with the pastoral charge of the first parish in Bever-
ly, to settle with them in the Lord. He acceded to
their proposals, and was consecrated their minister,
June 3, 1795. Mr. Abbot continued a highly esteemed
preacher in this desk, and a much beloved pastor among
this people, eight years ; and in July 1, 1803, "the
connexion was dissolved by mutual consent."

During this term of time, forty-nine are recorded as
having been admitted into the church, and one hundred
and twenty as having received baptism.

The very painful event of the dissolution of Mr.
Abbot's connexion with this parish was succeeded by
five years and six months, in which this church and so-
ciety enjoyed no stated administration of the ordinances
of the gospel. October S6, 1808, your present pastor
received an invitation to the pastoral office, and, on the
81st of December following, was ordained. Since that
period, forty- seven have been admitted to full commu-
nion, and to eighty-six has been administered the seal
of the covenant. The present number of members in
connexion with this church are sixty ; twenty males and
forty females. Four have been the number added the
season past ; three communicants have died, and two
received dismissions from us and recommendations to
other churches.

Thus, my brethren, the church and society of which
we are members, have existed for one hundred and

2i

seventy-nine years. During the lapse of which time,
there have been eight ordained ministers, fourteen of-
ficiating elders, and to full communion have been ad-
mitted eleven hundred and eighty. The subject de-
mands our serious reflection — our wise improvement.
We belong to a religious community, venerable for its
antiquity, and respectable for that peace and harmony,
with which, it lias ever been characterized. We enjoy
an inheritance purchased with prayers, toils, and blood ;
we have before ns the examples of the best of men,
of the best of christians, admonishing us to go forward,
and cherish, and defend, and perpetuate the precious
heritage.

From the preceding observations, we may be led to
reflect,

1. On the faithfulness of God, in accomplishing his
promises, with respect to his covenant people. Zion
dwells on the heart of everlasting love. She is the her-
itage of the servants of the Lord. — JVo weapon formed
against her shall prosper. — I will gather her, saith the
Lord, that was driven out, and get her a praise and
fame in every land. The powers of earth and hell
combined, may indeed oppress, but they can never des-
troy her. The existence, and final triumph of the
church, are secured by the immutable promise of Jeho-
vah. Although in every period of the world, her
friends have been few in number, and weak in strength,
her enemies powerful and numerous ; although kings
have persecuted, and princes combined to crush her ;
although she has been frequently called to confront all
the terrors of the dungeon, the stake, the rack, and the
gibbet ; has been driven through mountains of fire, and
seas of blood, she has, not only survived, but waxed

stronger and stronger, and extended further and further
her triumphs.

Our fathers were good men. Thpy made a covenant
with Jehovah, and to him solemnly dedicated them-
selves and their offspring. He promised to be a God to
them and their seed. With the strength of their faith
in this divine assurance, they withstood opposition at
home, and braved dangers abroad. Conscious of the
rectitude of their cause, with an eye steadfastly fixed on
the glory of God, they rose above the objects, which
bound them to their country and their homes, and cheer-
fully embarked in an enterprise, than which, nothing
could be more disheartening to the feelings of nature.
Following the leading of divine Providence, their little
bark outrode the storms of the ocean, and safely reach-
ed these tli en inhospitable shores. Having renewedly
consecrated themselves and their all to their covenant
God, the pilgrims landed, and pitched their tents where
dangers encircled every spot, and death lurked in every
path. Oppressed they were, but not cast down. Cold,
famine, and sickness were permitted to diminish their
number, and retrench their means of subsistence, but not
to destroy them. The Almighty remembered his prom-
ise, and around them, and over them, spread the wing
of his protecting providence. They prayed and toiled ;
and were blest and prospered. Look abroad, my
brethren, through New-England, and contemplate the
blessed effects of the faith and prayers of our puritan
ancestors, or rather, the bright evidences of God's faith-
fulness to his people. See our fields, our villages, and
our cities — our schools, academies and colleges — our
privileges, laws and constitutions — our temples, churches
and altars ! Yea, see the sons and daughters of the Pu-
ritans, now labouring, and praying, and preaching,

among the very descendants of those blood-thirsty sav-
ages, who were the terror and scourge of our fathers,
and we may well exclaim, What hath the Lord wrought
for his people !

This church, my brethren— £/h*s vine of the Lord's
planting, has never been forsaken. Though her ways
have frequently mourned, and her friends have been
ready to hang their harps upon the willoivs, because so
few come to her solemn feasts, yet, she still survives, a
living witness to the never-failing kindness of her God.
Secured by the promises of Jehovah, she has enjoyed
her union and privileges, for one hundred and seventy-
nine years, and will thus, we believe, continue to be
enriched, until she shall be embraced in the bosom of
the church triumphant.

2. We are led to reflect on our obligations of grati-
tude. Our privileges, rich and numberless, were the
purchase of many sacrifices ; are the bestowment of cov-
enant mercy. Our fathers sowed in tears ; we their
children are reaping a plentiful harvest. In contrast-
ing our condition ; our privileges with their's, and
what bosom is so cold as not to thrill with joy !
The slumbers of our cradles, the repose of our pillows,
the labours of our fields, the devotions of our altars, are
no more liable to be interrupted by the aggression of
hordes of merciless savages, or of the troops of a san-
guinary despot. We are not under the necessity, as
were our ancestors, of coming up hither for religious
worship, bearing the implements of death, to defend our
temple from the assaults of the pagan foe. We do not
go abroad on the common business of life, under the
dreadful apprehension, that when we return, we may
find our dwellings plundered and in flames, our wives
and children massacred, or borne into captivity. What

New-England fathers defended at the hazard of life,
and by the sacrifice of every earthly enjoyment, we un-
molestedly partake. Where they beheld the beast
prowling for his prey, ice see the industrious husband-
man joyfully reaping the fruit of his labour. — Where
they heard the horrid yell of the barbarian, we listen to
the sweet accents of social intercourse, and brotherly
love. — Where they witnessed sacrifices offered to de-
mons, we assemble to worship the God and Father of
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. — They bore the
heat and burden of the day ; — we enjoy the purchase of
their sufferings, and prayers, and blood. My hearers,
what has not God done for us ? — The preservation of
the pilgrims and their descendants from the barbarians
of the wilderness, from French usurpation, their deliv-
erance from the fetters of British tyranny, and the con-
tinuance of our privileges, are some of the most signal
evidences of the special interposition of the divine hand
recorded on the page of history. Can we reflect and
examine, and not feel the pulse of gratitude beat strong ?
Can we reflect and examine, and not express our grati-
tude to our divine Benefactor ?

3. We should reflect on our obligations to our des-
cendants. Our ancestors toiled and suffered, withstood
the enemy of the forest, and repelled the invaders of
their rights, threw off the chains of servitude, and
fought for independence, not merely for themselves, but
for us. They looked down through succeeding genera-
tions, and embraced in the arms of their charity, includ-
ed in their prayers, their children, and our children's
children. To them, under Providence, we are indebted
for every thing most valuable on earth. In no way can
we better express our obligations to them, our attach-
ment to their memory, than by doing likewise— thm by

sus

handing down, unimpaired, undiminished, the inherit-
ance, which we have received from them, to- those who
are coming after us. To us, our offspring are looking for
correctness of sentiment and purity of conduct, for that
system of faith and morals, for that religion and that
church, to procure the unmolested enjoyment of which,
cost so much treasure and blood. The charge, with which
we are entrusted is peculiarly weighty. Our conduct will
cast a shade on distant generations. The future legislators
of our country, and the ministers of the gospel, our civil and
religious institutions, are to take their complexion, not so
much from the opinions, the instructions, examples, of for-
mer times, as from those of the present. If ive betray our
trust, with what anguish will posterity reflect on the period
in which we lived ! — " In what accents of grief lament
the mistakes, the faults, and the crimes, which combined
to rob them of their rich inheritance, and left them poor
indeed." Our fathers were pious. They trusted in
God, and walked in his statutes. They nurtured their
sons and daughters in piety. They prospered, and, for
their sakes, we are blessed. But, if we dishonor the
God and Saviour whom they honored, if we swerve
from the path in which they walked, can we expect the
approving smiles of Heaven, which they enjoyed, and to
transmit to our descendants the blessings they have,
transmitted to us? Does our regard to religion, my
brethren, to the duties of the Sabbath and sanctuary ;
does our instruction of our children, our example before
our household, our intercourse with one another ; do
our exertions, and sacrifices, and influence, and prayers,
to build up the church, and extend a saving knowledge
of Christianity, answer the expectations of our ancestors ?
are they correspondent to the light we enjoy ? are they
4

36

such as will best subserve the well-being of future gen-
erations ?

Lastly. We are led to reflect on the ravages of time.
The patriarchs and prophets were not suffered to con-
tinue by reason of death. One generation passeth
away, and another cometh. What numbers have enter-
ed on and passed off the stage of life in New-England,
since the landing of our forefathers. An increase of
population has but increased the congregation of the
dead. Of those, who have lived before us, the dread
destroyer has spared neither sex, nor rank, nor age.
The numberless hordes of the original proprietors of our
soil, with those whom they oppressed, enslaved and
massacred, are gone to a state of impartial retribution.
Not a solitary individual, who inhabited this town one
hundred years since, is spared to celebrate with us,
another centesimal anniversary of the first settlement of
New-England. Our fathers, who procured for us this
pleasant, this rich inheritance ; the founders and first
members of this church and society, their brethren, and
children, and children's children ; the ministers, who
broke to them the bread of life, and participated with
them in their joys and sorrows, have numbered their
days, and returned to their kindred dust. In yonder
burying ground, doubtless are encircled the ashes of
more than three thousand of those, who once occupied
the places we now inherit. There rests, not only the
dust of our ancestors, but of many of those whom we
personally knew, and with whom we have taken sweet
counsel. There are entombed the remains of those,
who in successive periods sang praises in this temple,
occupied these seats, and surrounded these altars.
There lies the ashes of the venerable Ward, the much
lamented Rolfe, the zealous Gardner, the faithful Brown,

27

the beloved Barnard, and the benevolent Shaw. These
servants of the living God, with nearly all those to
whom they broke the bread of life, have entered eterni-
ty,, and heard the irrevocable sentence of their impar-
tial Judge.

This day, my brethren, commences the thirteenth year
of the speaker's ministry among you. During the time
of my connexion with you, one hundred and forty-four
from this society have been added to the catalogue of
mortality. The average number, who have annually
died, has been from ten to fourteen ; the last year ex-
cepted, in which were removed thirty-four. — A subject
this, my hearers, which demands our most serious con-
sideration. With this vast congregation, we shall soon
be uumbered. I may safely predict, that, unless the
course of Providence should change, more or less of
those, who now hear my voice, ere the return of this
day twelve months, will have done with this, and com-
menced another state of being. You or myself will have
finished all concerns with preaching or hearing, and ev-
ery other duty relative to time, and will have beeu fixed
in that condition, from whicli there is no return.

This reflection irresistibly leads us forward to a con-
templation of a scene more momentous. We part here,
but to meet again hereafter — to meet, on an occasion,
where hypocrisy will be unmasked, and motives and
actions of both ministers and people will be impartially
weighed in the balance of the sanctuary. Yes, the time
is at hand, my beloved flock, when we and our descend-
ants, this temple and our religious ceremonies, will be
no more. — When yonder sun will cease to shine ; the
moon be turned into blood ; the stars fall, the heavens,
the earth, the elements be on fire. — Then the re-animat-
ing trump of God will re-echo through the extensive

mansions of the tomb, Arise, arise, ye dead, and come
to judgment f Then from yonder grave-yard, the vener-
able Ward, with his fellow pilgrims ; then all his suc-
cessors in the sacred office, with their respective charges ;
the speaker, with all those who now hear him, will
come forth to witness the sentence of eternal retribution,
either, Come ye blessed, or, Depart ye cursed! Amen.

HYMN

FOR DECEMBER 22, 1820;
AS SUNG IN THE FIRST PARISH MEETING-HOUSE.

PART I.

God of our fathers — Zion's king !
With eye propitious now behold,
While in thy house thy praise we sing
And celebrate thy works of old.
When Israel 'scaped from Pharaoh's

hand,
Thro' seas and desarts bent their way,
God was their guide to Canaan's land,
Their fire by night, their cloud by day.
When sixteen cent'ries roll'd around,
Since Jesus bore the sinner's load,
A new, and western world was found,
A refuge for the church of God.

Like Israel too, New-England's sires,

By cruel persecution driven,

Thro' dearths and desarts, seas & fires,

Follow'd the guiding hand of Heaven.

Religion bore their spirits up,

And smooth'd the roughness of their

road ;
Faith was their shield, their anchor

hope —
Their wealth, the Bible, and their God.

To heaven, their home, their prayer

ascends,
For, they were pilgrims on the earth ;
Exil'd from country, kindred, friends,
They sought the country of our birth.
For this they plough'd the wintry main,
And braved the dangers of the deep ;
•Cheerful and patient under pain,
or Christ ira« riifh th^m in th^ ship.

PART II.

Now on Columbia's savage coast,
Escap'd from ship-wreck Hz from storm ;
Behold the feeble shiv'ring host,
Their pious hearts alone were warm.

Heroic souls ! New-England's pride !
For us, who could all dangers brave ;
They toil'd, they pray'd, they bled,

they died ;
Nor found their rest, but in the grave.

But Thou, O God, wast with them stilP
Their toils and patience to approve ;
Thy faithful promise to fulfil,
And pour the blessings of thy love.

This little vine Thou didst defend,
And water with rich showers of grace ;
Its clust'ring branches wide expand —
The pilgrims' numerous, happy race.

With grateful hearts, and joyful eyes,
We hail the standard they unfurl'd ;
O bid the church's seed to rise,
And fill with fruit the astonish'd world.

. Look down,0 Lord, and grant that we,
i Beloved for our fathers' sake,
I Through Christ may thy salvation see,
| And of thy cov'nant love partake.

May we, their sons, thy praise acclaim,
The God our fathers loved, adore ;
Our children's children fear thy name,
I Till euns shall rise and set no more.

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